Common C&P Exam Mistakes That Hurt Your VA Rating

A single mistake during your C&P exam can cost you thousands in ratings and retroactive benefits. Many veterans inadvertently undermine their claims by making preventable errors.

Learn the 12 most common C&P exam mistakes so you can avoid them.

Mistake #1: Arriving Late or Missing Your Appointment

The cost: Your claim can be denied if you miss without good cause.

What happens:

The VA sets a strict appointment time. If you don't show up or arrive significantly late:

• Your claim review is paused
• The VA may issue a Failure to Prosecute notice
• Missing multiple exams without explanation can result in claim denial
• Even if the claim isn't denied, the delay costs you months of retroactive benefits

How to avoid it:

• ✓ Confirm appointment 1 week before
• ✓ Arrive 15 minutes early
• ✓ Plan for parking and building navigation
• ✓ Know the exact location and floor
• ✓ Have backup transportation option
• ✓ If you must reschedule, do so 48 hours in advance

The real cost: Missing one C&P exam and then having to reschedule can delay your decision by 2-3 months, costing $3,800-$5,700 in retroactive benefits for a 70% rating.

Mistake #2: Downplaying or Minimizing Your Symptoms

The cost: Lower rating than you deserve.

What many veterans think:

"I don't want to seem weak or exaggerate. I should be tough and minimize my pain."

What actually happens:

The examiner uses your presentation during the exam as baseline evidence. If you seem fine and functional during the 30-minute exam, the examiner might conclude your condition is mild. The rating reflects what the examiner observes.

Real-world example:

Veteran claims 70% PTSD. During exam:

• Doesn't mention nightmares unless asked
• Says "I'm doing okay"
• Minimizes functional impact
• Seems calm and articulate during appointment

Examiner's conclusion: Condition appears mild to moderate → 30-40% rating

Should have:

• Mentioned specific nightmares and sleep disturbance (50% of nights)
• Described panic attacks (3-4 per week, lasting 1-2 hours)
• Explained inability to work around crowds
• Discussed medication side effects

How to avoid it:

• ✓ Describe your worst-day symptoms, not average day
• ✓ Mention all symptoms, even minor ones
• ✓ Explain functional impact: "I can't concentrate for more than 15 minutes"
• ✓ Show pain level: Adjust position, mention discomfort if you have it
• ✓ Be specific with numbers: "5-7 panic attacks per week"

Mistake #3: Exaggerating or Lying About Your Symptoms

The cost: Potential fraud charges, claim denial, loss of all VA benefits.

What happens:

• Examiners are trained to spot inconsistencies
• VA cross-references medical records with your statements
• Veterans have gone to prison for VA fraud
• If caught, you lose all benefits, VA recovers payments, and may face criminal charges

Red flags that hurt your case:

• Describing symptoms that don't match your medical records
• Saying you can't do something then doing it (examiner observes you walk in fine, but said you can't walk)
• Claiming more severe symptoms than any doctor has documented
• Describing symptoms that don't align with your claimed condition

Real example:

Veteran claims he can't walk more than 50 feet due to knee injury. Examiner notices him walking fine in the waiting room, moving easily during exam. The lie damages credibility. Rating is much lower than deserved.

How to avoid it:

• ✓ Be 100% honest
• ✓ Stick to facts documented by doctors
• ✓ If you have good days, mention that too
• ✓ Don't claim severity beyond what medical evidence shows
• ✓ The truth is usually compelling enough without exaggeration

Mistake #4: Failing to Explain Functional Limitations

The cost: Lower rating due to insufficient evidence of impact.

What happens:

The VA doesn't rate just the diagnosis. They rate the functional impact of the diagnosis. If you don't explain how your condition affects work and daily life, the examiner might rate based only on the medical findings.

Example:

Veteran has knee arthritis (confirmed on X-ray, legitimate condition). But when asked:

• "How does this affect your daily life?" → "I manage okay"
• "Can you work?" → "Maybe some desk job"
• "How far can you walk?" → "Not sure, maybe a mile"

Result: 10% rating (minor functional impact)

Should have said:

• "I can walk about 100 yards before significant pain develops"
• "I can stand for 15 minutes before my knee becomes too painful"
• "I struggle with stairs, which limits job opportunities"
• "My knee prevents me from any job requiring standing/walking"
• "I've been unable to work for 2 years due to inability to stand"

How to avoid it:

• ✓ Describe specific functional limitations, not just medical facts
• ✓ Explain how condition affects your ability to work
• ✓ Give specific examples: "I can't lift more than 5 pounds"
• ✓ Mention activities you can't do: "I can't tie my shoes" / "I can't drive"
• ✓ Connect limitations to work impact: "This means I can't work at [previous job]"

Mistake #5: Not Mentioning Important Symptoms

The cost: Rating doesn't account for all conditions.

What happens:

Examiners ask direct questions, but sometimes symptoms only come up if the veteran mentions them. If you have secondary conditions or co-occurring symptoms, mention all of them.

Example:

Veteran with back injury has secondary sleep apnea and headaches. Examiner doesn't ask about sleep apnea. Veteran doesn't mention it either. Rating is for back injury only, missing secondary conditions that could add 20-30% to rating.

How to avoid it:

• ✓ List all diagnosed conditions before exam
• ✓ Mention all symptoms affecting you, even minor ones
• ✓ If you suspect secondary conditions, bring documentation
• ✓ Mention medication side effects
• ✓ Don't assume examiner will ask about everything

Mistake #6: Being Defensive or Argumentative

The cost: Damaged credibility, lower rating.

What happens:

If you get defensive when questioned, seem hostile, or argue with the examiner:

• They note defensiveness in report
• VA might question your credibility
• The exam becomes confrontational rather than collaborative
• Your condition gets rated lower due to "good behavior during exam"

Real example:

Examiner asks: "How often do you have panic attacks?"

Bad response: "Why does that matter? You don't understand PTSD. This is disrespectful." (Defensive, argumentative)

Better response: "I have panic attacks about 4-5 times per week. They last 1-2 hours and involve intense fear, heart racing, and inability to concentrate." (Calm, informative)

How to avoid it:

• ✓ Remember the examiner isn't your enemy
• ✓ Treat them professionally
• ✓ Stay calm even if frustrated
• ✓ Answer questions directly
• ✓ If a question seems intrusive, ask why before answering

Mistake #7: Inconsistent Presentation

The cost: Damaged credibility, lower rating.

What happens:

If you describe symptoms inconsistently with your presentation, the examiner notices:

• You say you have severe pain, but move comfortably
• You say you can't concentrate, but carry on coherent conversation
• You claim insomnia, but seem well-rested
• You claim anxiety about crowds, but seem comfortable in the medical center

The examiner judges credibility based on consistency.

How to avoid it:

• ✓ Be honest and consistent
• ✓ If you're having a good day, mention that
• ✓ Explain if exam situation isn't typical ("I'm usually much worse when home alone")
• ✓ Accept that some days are better than others
• ✓ The truth, told consistently, is most persuasive

Mistake #8: Not Bringing Required Documents

The cost: Exam may be incomplete or rescheduled.

What you should bring:

• Photo ID
• Appointment notice
• Insurance card
• List of current medications
• Recent medical records
• List of current providers

What many veterans forget:

• Medication list (examiner needs dosages)
• Medical record summaries (to help fill context gaps)
• Provider contact information (VA may need to follow up)

How to avoid it:

• ✓ Read appointment notice carefully
• ✓ Bring everything suggested
• ✓ Bring copies of key medical records
• ✓ Create medication list with dosages

Mistake #9: Bringing Too Much Documentation

The cost: Exam is unfocused, key information gets lost.

What happens:

Some veterans bring entire medical files (100+ pages). The examiner doesn't have time to review everything. Key evidence gets lost in the volume.

How to avoid it:

• ✓ Bring last 6-12 months of key medical records only
• ✓ Organize documents chronologically
• ✓ Highlight key findings
• ✓ Create a 1-page summary of important info
• ✓ Let examiner ask for more if needed

Mistake #10: Wearing Inappropriate Clothing

The cost: Exam may be less thorough if examiner can't easily assess condition.

What to wear:

• Loose-fitting, comfortable clothing
• Easy to remove/replace for examination
• Clean, professional appearance
• Not overly formal or overly casual
• Shoes you can easily remove

What not to wear:

• ✗ Very tight clothing (limits physical exam)
• ✗ Excessive makeup or cologne (can irritate examiner or affect objectivity)
• ✗ Jewelry that prevents range-of-motion testing
• ✗ Clothes with strong political or controversial messages

Mistake #11: Arriving Too Early or Too Late for a Follow-up Appointment

The cost: Confusion about exam timing, may be rescheduled.

How to handle:

• ✓ Arrive 10-15 minutes early
• ✓ Check in exactly at appointment time
• ✓ Don't arrive more than 30 minutes early
• ✓ If running late, call immediately

Mistake #12: Not Asking About Next Steps

The cost: Confusion about timeline, missing important communications.

Questions to ask before leaving exam:

• "When will the exam report be available?"
• "When should I expect a rating decision?"
• "How will I be notified of the decision?"
• "What should I do if I don't receive results in [timeframe]?"

How to avoid it:

• ✓ Ask about timeline and next steps
• ✓ Get the examiner's name and facility
• ✓ Write down expected decision date
• ✓ Know how to check status (VA.gov)
• ✓ Know appeal timeline (one year to file appeal)

Additional Tips for C&P Exam Success

Mental Preparation

• Get good sleep 2-3 nights before exam
• Avoid alcohol or recreational drugs
• Don't take extra medications to appear "more disabled"
• Eat normally, don't fast or overeat
• Reduce anxiety through your normal methods (exercise, meditation)

Managing Anxiety

• Remember: The C&P exam is in your favor if you're truly disabled
• The examiner isn't the VA—they're just evaluating your condition
• Your medical records are your biggest advocate
• Be honest and specific—that's all you need

If You're Nervous About the Exam

• Request a VSO representative to attend
• Have a family member accompany you
• Request a female or male examiner if that's more comfortable
• Ask for longer breaks if needed

Key Takeaways

❌ Mistakes that hurt most:

• Arriving late or missing appointment
• Minimizing symptoms
• Failing to explain functional impact
• Being defensive or inconsistent

✅ What helps most:

• Arrive early, be professional
• Be honest and specific
• Explain how condition affects daily life and work
• Bring required documents
• Follow up on timeline

The C&P exam is your opportunity to present your condition to the VA. Avoid these 12 mistakes and you'll give yourself the best chance at an accurate, fair rating.